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One of the problems law enforcement and prosecutors have to overcome when prosecuting DUI drug offenses is being able to tie alleged drug consumption with impairmentat the time of driving. Some substances stay in your system for only a short time, so it's easier for law enforcement and prosecutors to establish that any impairment-related observations they make of a driver are consistent with the substance found in his or her system. Examples of this are alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, and heroin. On the other hand, there are a host of drugs that remain in a user's system for much longer, making it more difficult to tie impairment related characteristics to the substance detected. Examples of this are cannabis, crystal meth, and benzodiazapines. So theoretically, a driver can smoke pot on Monday and it will show up in his urine the following Saturday. In fact, it can still show up in his urine 30 days later if he's an occasional user, and as much as 90 days later if he's a chronic user. What further complicates the matter is the source from which the substance is detected. Specifically, drugs or their metabolites will be detected in the urine longer than they will in the blood, and in hair follicles longer than in either urine or blood. So blood analysis is the most reliable method of tying impairment to substance use, urine is second best, and then hair follicle analysis is third. Below is an estimate of how long particular substances will remain in a user's blood, urine, and hair follicles. These are estimates of averages only.

Alcohol can be detected for up to 10 to 12 hours in blood, 3 to 5 days in urine, and 90 in hair.

Amphetamines can be detected for up to 12 hours in blood, 3 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Barbiturates can be detected after 1 to 2 days in blood, 2 to 4 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Benzodiazapines can be detected for 2 to 3 days in blood, 3 to 6 weeks in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Cannabis can be detected for up to 2 weeks in blood, 30 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Cocaine can be detected for up to 2 days in blood, 4 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Codeine can be detected for up to 12 hours in blood, 1 day in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Heroin can be detected for up to 12 hours in blood, 4 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

LSD can be detected for up to 3 hours in blood, 3 days in urine, and 3 days in hair.

MDMA (ecstasy) can be detected for up to 2 days in blood, 4 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Methamphetamine (crystal meth) can be detected for up to 3 days in blood, 6 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Methadone can be detected for up to 3 days in blood, 4 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

Morphine can be detected for up to 8 hours in blood, 3 days in urine, and 90 days in hair.

For more information in this, or any other DUI related topics, call the Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyers at Golburgh Law today at 954-463-4646.

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It seems nowadays there are thousands of lawyers who “handle” DUI cases; however, there really are only a small amount that are truly experienced in the field. If you were arrested for DUI, you need an attorney who practices in the field of DUI defense every day.

Comments

Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of Florida. I’m wondering why they are requiring the interlock though. I can only assume this is not your first offense. If that’s true, you won’t have a choice but to install the interlock device, and it will need to be able to communicate directly with Florida’s DMV. If it is your first offense AND your sentence through the court in PA did NOT require the device, you can send a letter to the Bureau of Administrative Reviews in Tallahassee seeking reconsideration of that provision.

With the help of an aggressive Florida DUI lawyer, you can get the help you need in order to fight your criminal charge and protect your freedom and future. My law firm has been defending individuals faced with DUI charges for years. I know exactly how to approach a case in order to protect your best interests. Because these charges are serious, I am determined to fight for the best possible result.